"£20 million milestone surpassed in British Reward Program" - reformulated version of the original statement
Unleashing the British Breeding Bonus: £20 Million and Counting!
Witness the remarkable evolution of the British Breeding Bonus (GBB), a revolutionary initiative that has stormed onto the racing scene, racking up an astounding £20 million in bonuses since its inception in 2020.
With an impressive 1,500 individual payouts, this incentive scheme has rapidly become a fundamental cornerstone of British racing and breeding. Supported by none other than the Horserace Betting Levy Board (HBLB), the GBB has amplified the fortunes of breeders, owners, trainers, jockeys, and stable staff across the nation.
Conceived with the mission to amplify value and encourage demand for British-bred fillies, GBB has made waves in the sector. In 2024, fillies registered under the GBB scheme were priced an average of £30,000 higher than their unregistered counterparts at sales. This surge in value, ascertained by a comprehensive PwC report, has increased a staggering 16.3 percent—and the growth doesn't seem to be slowing down.
Alan Delmonte, chief executive of the HBLB, is brimming with pride at the GBB's progress. According to Delmonte, the HBLB's continuous support to GBB spans since its inception, with an additional £1.1 million injected into the scheme in 2025. This extra funding aims to bolster the efforts for middle-distance and staying Flat fillies and steeplechasing mares, underscoring the HBLB's unwavering commitment to the growth of British breeding and the provision of incentives for races involving fillies and mares.
Philip Newton, the Chairman of the Thoroughbred Breeders' Association, shares Delmonte's enthusiasm, declaring the GBB a "success story" that warrants celebration. The explosive growth in the scheme has allegedly led to an unprecedented shift among breeders, with decisions now strategically made to qualify for the GBB. This leap of faith speaks volumes about the trust and impact the scheme wields.
Interestingly, approximately 65 percent of the £20 million doled out to date has reached the hands of owners - including the fortunate owner, Ron Huggins, whose filly Spirit Of Jura has pocketed three bonuses.
"GBB can truly be a game-changer," Huggins boasts, emphasizing that despite the French system's historical dominance, a well-timed GBB payout can put British-bred horses almost on par. Huggins also notes increased interest from trainers and owners in fillies at sales, resulting in fiercely contested races, fostering a thrilling atmosphere.
Many members of the equestrian community have found success within the GBB. Among them are stalwarts like Molly Ollys Wishes and Kateira in National Hunt and Adaay in Devon, who impressive numbers of bonuses and substantial payouts.
To mark the fifth anniversary of this groundbreaking scheme, the GBB gifted 20 British breeders with five apple trees each—a charming nod to the nursery stage of any racing career.
Building on its success, the GBB introduced a new segment, GBBPlus, in January 2025. This extension aims to empower staying fillies and chasing mares, further extending the scheme's reach. In just six months, the expansion shows promising signs of impact, with a doubling in the number of bonuses awarded to chasing mares compared to the preceding year, and a noticeable increase in mares' participation in the races.
As Newton aptly states, "GBB is proving there's every reason to Breed, Buy, Race in Britain—and be proud of it!"
Additional Reads:
- Winning big with a €180,000 Nathaniel gelding: An exhilarating sale day for Kirk and Mullins at the Derby Sale
- Skelton seals a promising purchase with a €100,000 Ectot-sired juvenile at the Tattersalls Ireland Derby Sale
- From tragedy to triumph: The inspiring journey of Mario Gussago, the new recruit at Sumbe Stables
- The British Breeding Bonus (GBB) has significantly impacted the horse-racing industry, with numerous racehorses being registered under this scheme, particularly in sports such as racing and horse-racing.
- The remarkable success of the GBB has led to British-bred horses becoming more competitive in various racing events, with owners like Ron Huggins claiming that it can even challenge the historical dominance of French-bred horses in certain races.
